Midday Stock Chatter: Food, Oil & Growth

Sanford Bernstein senior research analyst Alexia Howard told CNBC that Kellogg and Kraft Foods both show "pretty decent performance." But with disparate commodity pressures on each, one of the pre-packaged edibles giants is sure to come out on top.

"We think the best way to play this market is through a secure, consumer-staple company that has pricing power, but also has exposure to attractive overseas markets," said Alpine Woods Capital Investors portfolio manager Kevin Shacknofsky.

He thinks investors should wait for the housing market to stabilize before taking big risks. His top pick: Nestle .